“CUDDLE” (2025): A Short Film With Big Scares
Courtesy of Frederick Nuti
If there’s one thing horror has taught me, it’s that the moment you try to relax is exactly when something decides to ruin your night. “Cuddle” takes that universal truth and crafts a tight, clever, and wildly entertaining short that transforms a body pillow into the most demanding sleep companion since Freddy Krueger stalked Elm Street. I didn’t expect to fear plush bedding, but here we are.
What immediately grabbed my attention was the cinematography. The directing trio of Violet de la Torre, Brittany Cairo, and Frederick Nuti clearly came to play. The camera glides with confidence, panning back and forth between the quiet room and the encroaching forest, creating a steady pulse of suspense. That visual rhythm sets the tone early, making me feel like something is always watching from just outside the frame. It’s smooth, sharp, and intentional, exactly what a horror short needs when it only has minutes to make an impact.
Then there’s the moment the body pillow disappears from the couch and reappears on the bed with a threatening little note that simply reads, “CUDDLE ME NOW.” I laughed, then immediately questioned why I laughed, because that is the exact kind of command I would not take lightly in the middle of the night. The film knows how absurd its premise sounds, and instead of running from it, it leans in with style. The humor enhances the tension, rather than breaking it, and that balance is what makes the whole thing so enjoyable.
The short digs into a fear most of us have felt at one point or another: sleeping in an unfamiliar place while traveling. I’ve experienced that creeping paranoia myself. The way the walls feel too thin, the quiet feels too loud, and every item in the room seems capable of subtle judgment. “Cuddle” takes that already unnerving setup and pushes it into fun, sinister territory. I could practically feel that out-of-town discomfort creeping in as the story played out, and the film uses it to great advantage.
When the pillow finally decides it’s done being ignored, the tone shifts in the best possible way. Thanks to the red lighting, the room transforms into a nightmare space that feels ripped straight from a Krueger fever dream. The shadows stretch longer, the colors intensify, and everything grows more hostile. It’s a smart stylistic choice by the directors, giving the pillow’s “revenge arc” a surreal, hellish flare. It’s playful, unnerving, and genuinely impressive considering the short’s format and runtime.
The performances seal the deal. Sophie Cooper brings grounded, relatable energy to the chaos, and R.L. White balances vulnerability with the kind of comedic timing that horror shorts thrive on. The two play off the absurdity of the situation without ever slipping into parody, and that restraint keeps the tension intact even when the story gets wild. Their chemistry makes the final moments land with even more impact.
By the time the short film ends, I found myself wanting more, not because anything was missing, but because the story clearly has room to expand. The final beat leaves a tantalizing question hanging in the air: who’s the next unlucky traveler this pillow plans to “bond” with? I’m absolutely here for a sequel, a series, or a full-length escalation of cuddle-driven terror. It is is clever, stylish, well-acted, and crafted with real love for the genre. I highly recommend checking it out. Just maybe keep an eye on your bedding tonight. You can watch “Cuddle” now on YouTube and Screamify.
Whether it’s slashers in the woods, ghosts in the attic, or killers in the cornfield, ILHM Reviews brings you the frightful horror flick recommendations worth watching. Follow us on Instagram, be sure to listen to the the "I Love Horror" podcast and remember that if you’re a true fan of horror, every night can be a FRIGHT NIGHT!
